This young United team set a club record, becoming the first to win their opening nine league fixtures since the turn of the century as they saw off a stern challenge from basement club Hambleden.
United took the field minus four influential players from last week, Johnson, Braim, Jones and O’Neill all unavailable through work or injury so in came Beard, Morrissey, Moore and returning Captain Herridge.
Hambleden took the field with five changes from the team that lost 4-0 at Hedsor 14 days earlier as they looked to register an opening victory after a dismal start to their campaign.
It was the visitors who opened brightly, forcing Hambleden on the defensive as they looked to open the scoring.
On three minutes a mazy dribble by leading scorer McCarthy saw him round three defenders before being bundled over in the area.
To the astonishment of players and spectators alike the referee awarded a free kick against the Marlow forward.
United then won a corner which resulted in Morrissey firing over, shortly before another penalty appeal for the visitors was waved away by the official.
A Marlow free kick then saw James Durrant head wide as the pressure was pretty much one way.
Hambleden settled into the game having survived the early pressure, and made inroads into their opponents half without seriously troubling keeper Bridges.
United deservedly took the lead on twelve minutes as McCarthy dispossessed a defender and ran on to place the ball past keeper James.
Hambleden began to see a fair share of the ball as the half progressed, Bridges making one excellent save, despite this the visitors offered the greater threat going forward but chances came and went , poor finishing and desperate defending ensuring the game stayed 1-0.
McCarthy rounded the keeper only to hit the post, soon after ghosting past his marker and firing over.
Three forwards saw efforts blocked and cleared in an almighty scramble around the six yard box on thirty eight minutes and with the half running down Jake Lacey went through on goal, his shot being tipped past the post by a diving James.
The half ended with a single goal lead when in truth it could have three or four.
Hambleden took no time in cancelling the slender lead once the game resumed.
With the United defence apparently still enjoying their half time break the hosts broke down the visitor’s right, the ball eventually being crossed into the six yard box where it was slotted home for the equaliser.
Given this unexpected boost the home team began to boss the middle of the park as the visitors looked shaken by this turn of events.
It was veteran midfielder Mike Morrissey who bought some order to their play, as others around him looked jittery in possession he calmly collected and delivered simple passes to team mates and into dangerous areas.
That and the undoubted talents of the United forward line began to turn the tide as the visitors began to create chances, none more so than Jake Lacey on the left wing, his pace and control blossoming as the game entered its final third.
McCarthy saw an effort saved, Rowley fired a free kick wide, Kush Patel saw an effort cleared off the line following a corner.
The latter was clattered in several reckless tackles as the half wore on with no yellow card shown by the official, much to the annoyance of both player and team mates.
Despite this it was Patel who finally broke the deadlock, receiving a pass from Lacey he fired in a 30 yard effort which deceived the keeper and crept into the far corner of the net.
Once ahead United, with Lacey to the fore, providing the spark and pace down the United left, they tore into their opponents.
On 73 minutes a lofted ball from Patel was bought down with consummate skill by Lacey and in one movement he skipped inside his marker and laid a perfect pass into McCarthy who did what he does and knocked the ball home for number three.
McCarthy hit a post, Durrant, Lonsdale, and Beard all went close for the visitors the final chance in the game eventually falling to the hosts as a late attack saw Bridges scrambling across his goal line as a shot went wide of the far post.
So Marlow created their piece of club history with this ninth league win of the season and move on to next week with a visit of Berks County Reserves to Hedsor in the League Cup KO2pm.
FT 1-3
Team.
Bridges, Beard, Herridge (c) Durrant, Allen, Moore, Rowley, Lacey, Tipler, Morrissey, McCarthy,
Subs.
Lonsdale, Patel, Hirsey
Goals
McCarthy 12, 73
Patel 68
Bookings
Rowley Yellow

MOM
For his outstanding second half, including two assists,

Jake Lacey